Attachment for citherns



(N6 Model.)

I F. ZIMMERLY. ATTACHMENT FOR GITHBRNS.

No. 586,651. Patented July 20, 1897.

m d I" w I Atlorlwj UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK ZIMMERLY, OF NEIVARK, NEW JERSEY.

ATTACHMENT FOR CITHERNS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 586,651, dated July 20, 1897.

Application filed March 6,1897. Serial No. 626,221. (N od l.)

T0 at whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK ZIMMERLY,a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Attachments for Githerns; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention appertains to improvements in stringed instruments, and particularly to that class commonly known as citherns, the object of the same being to provide a cithern with double strings, like the mandolin, and employ in connection therewith a sliding plectrum or pick to vibrate or pick the melody strings, while the bass and accompaniment strings are played with the other hand.

Having the above ends in view,my invention consists in the combination, with a stringed instrument or cithern having double strings, ot a bridge or support mounted above the strings and presenting a support or slide for a movable pick or plectrum, and an adj ustable cap on the upper end of the said pick or plectrum.

The invention further consistsin the particular construction and combination of the parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure l is a plan view showing the application of my invention to a cithern. Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a sectional View through. the bridge and movable pick or plectrum.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates the body of the cithern, and 2 the strings, which are arranged thereon in pairs, instead of singly, as heretofore. In connection with an instrument of this construction I employ a bridge 3, which is mounted upon the body 1 to present a cross-piece, located a suitable distance above the strings. This cross-piece is slotted, as shown, the slot extending into the side pieces or supporting-legs of the bridge. The cross-piece at each edge of the slot is formed with a groove 4, providing a guide for the block which carries the pick or plectrum. This block 5 is provided at its lower end with laterally-projectin g lugs 6, which engage the grooves l on the bridge and slide therein. The block 5 is recessed vertically to receive the pick or plectrum '7, the lower end of the recess in the block being contracted to form a guide for the pick or plectrum, the latter being further guided by a head or button formed at the upper end thereof. Encircling the shank of the pick or plectrum and interposed between the knob or button thereon and contracted part of the block is a helical spring 8, which acts to hold the said pick or plectrum normally above the strings, the upward movement being limited by suitable stops.

It will be understood that this device provides a very simple attachment for citherns having double strings, and is preferably located over the melody strings, so that they can be vibrated, while the bass strings are manipulated in the usual manner. In manipulating the pick or plectrum the block is grasped by the thumb and fingers, while the index-finger engages the button or head 9 to depress the said pick or plectrum at the proper time.

It will be understood that this attachment may be applied to a mandolin of the usual construction.

In the drawings I have shown the head of the pin which carries the plectrum provided with a cap 10, which is screwed down upon the head or button 9, and presents an outwardly-projecting flange 11 at its lower end, this flange acting as a stop by contacting with the upper end of the block. This cap being connected to a button in the manner herein shown and described also provides for adj usting the same to increase or diminish the extent of the downward movement. In connection with this construction I provide the plectrum with a set-screw 12, that limits the up ward movement by contact with the lower part of the block. The slide which forms the support for the sliding block of the plectrum has a series of marks on a line with the strings below, and the block is provided with an inden-finger 13, used in connection with said marks to assist in locating the strings beneath.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An attachment for stringed instruments,

ICO

comprising a bridge presenting a plate located above the strings and having a slot, the edges of the plate below the slot being grooved; a block having lugs or projections which engage the grooves of the bridge and top plate thereof, said block being provided with a vertical recess contracted at its lower end; a pick or plectruni located within the recess and having a head or button at its upper end, and a spring located within the recess and interposed between the head of the plectrum-and contracted portion of the block, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. An attachment for stringed instruments comprising a bridge presenting a plate located above the strings and having a slot, the sides of the bridge below the slot being grooved, a block having lugs or projections which engage specification in the presence of two subscrib- 3o ing witnesses.

FRANK ZIMMERLY.

Witnesses:

FRED. MULLER, Gus'rav BINDE. 

